Latest Blue Jays DFA makes Teoscar Hernández trade even more brutal

After just 5.1 innings back from injury, the Blue Jays decided to move on from Erik Swanson who was DFA'd to make room for Justin Bruihl in the bullpen. No matter what the corresponding move was, this roster move is a major reminder of how brutal the Teoscar Hernandez trade really was.

Blue Jays recent DFA of Erik Swanson makes Teoscar Hernandez trade look much worse.

Along with Swanson, Toronto got Adam Macko, their 14th ranked prospect according to MLB Pipeline. This package of pitchers looked great in 2023 as Swanson posted a 2.97 ERA with a 3.04 FIP, while Macko showed his upside with an 11.09 K/9 and a 3.97 FIP. Everything was looking alright in this deal, until 2024.

Swanson was not very good in limited action that season, posting a 5.03 ERA and a 6.06 FIP across 39.1 innings. He was completely unreliable and couldn't get on track in 2025. He was hurt to begin the year and barely threw at the MLB level, but when he did, it wasn't great.

Macko still has a future ahead of him, despite falling in the team prospect rankings over the years. He has been up to the 9th ranked prospect in the organization per MLB Pipeline, but has fallen. His numbers haven't been awful either, posting a 4.07 ERA with a 2.47 FIP. He just got back to Triple-A from a knee injury, so maybe if he finds himself into a groove, he can save this trade from being an absolute disaster.

With just one year left on his contract, the Blue Jays were justified to move on from Hernandez in 2022 if they weren't planning on paying him afterwards. However, with the money they have spent over the last few years, particularly while looking to upgrade their offense, maybe it would have been the right decision to sign him long term as he has been a staple in the Dodgers lineup these last two seasons, helping them win the World Series in 2024.

Hernandez was a big piece of the Blue Jays for years too and it was really sad to see him go. There was some speculation that he would sign back in Toronto this offseason, prior to signing a three year deal with the Dodgers, but nothing came together. If they would have brought him back, this lineup would have been even more deadly and likely would have negated an Anthony Santander signing.

Regardless of where Hernandez is at now, it is difficult to see him having success away from the Blue Jays, especially for what Toronto got in return for him. Swanson is no longer on the team and Macko hasn't made an impact in the big leagues yet. Hopefully Macko can save the trade in the near future.